Michigan football has clear favorite to replace Jim Harbaugh if he leaves for Vikings

The Michigan Wolverines reportedly have a preferred candidate if Jim Harbaugh leaves to become the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

Ever since the Michigan Wolverines lost to the Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl, there has been constant reports and talk of head coach Jim Harbaugh leaving the program to the NFL. As it turns out, he is set to meet with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, Feb. 2, and reportedly plans to sign on to become their new head coach, per Chris Balas of The Wolverine and On3.

If that is to happen, who will the Wolverines hire to replace him?

According to Balas, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel has Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule on his wish list of external candidates to replace Harbaugh.

Michigan football has clear favorite to replace Jim Harbaugh

Rhule has success coaching at the collegiate level. He earned the Temple University job in 2013 and accumulated a 28-23 record in four seasons. Rhule became head coach of the Baylor Bears in 2017 and led the team to a Texas Bowl win in 2018 and an 11-3 record in 2019.

Back in 2020, Rhule made the jump to the NFL and signed a massive seven-year, $62 million contract with the Panthers. Rhule has not had much success, as he accumulated a 10-23 record in his first two seasons. Yet, after finishing 2021 with a 5-12 record, the team opted to keep Rhule.

Besides Rhule, Balas mentioned that Manuel could opt to go with an internal hire, with running backs coach Mike Hart reportedly being a considered candidate.

Michigan fans will certainly be keeping their eyes on their cell phone notifications to see whether Harbaugh to the Vikings is, indeed, confirmed. If so, the Wolverines will be on the search for a new head coach.

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